Umbrella-Species Strategy Aims to Thwart a Sixth Mass Extinction

Scientists warn that humanity is on track for a sixth mass extinction, a loss that could eliminate three-quarters of species. Researchers are testing an “umbrella species” approach—protecting wide-ranging primates such as gibbons, snub-nosed monkeys, langurs, macaques and lorises in Yunnan’s mountainous forests—to safeguard entire ecosystems and buy time for countless other organisms.

The Independent

Past mass extinctions occurred naturally, but the current threat is driven largely by human activities, notably pollution and climate change. The rate at which groups of species are disappearing now mirrors that of previous extinction events, with “hundreds or thousands each year” lost, according to conservation experts. Protecting large habitats for keystone mammals is seen as a more efficient alternative to species-by-species interventions.

The Independent

Amy McEuen, associate professor and Program Director for Biology at the University of Illinois Springfield, leads the research advocating the umbrella-species model. Her work highlights how conserving the extensive forest ranges required by primates can concurrently protect hundreds of lesser-known endemic species.

The Independent

McEuen emphasizes that panda conservation in China demonstrates the model’s success, noting that preserving the pandas’ forest needs has “conserved hundreds of other endemic species.” She argues that with “millions of species to protect, we don’t have time to protect one species at a time,” and that “more efficient ways of preserving biodiversity” lie in umbrella-species strategies. While acknowledging challenges such as migratory habits and fragmented habitats, she stresses that “no efforts are too small,” citing actions like planting pollinator gardens.

The Independent

• “The panda conservation in China has actually been really successful at conserving hundreds of other endemic species because the pandas just need these large areas of forest to have healthy populations,” — Amy McEuen, Associate Professor, University of Illinois Springfield

The Independent

• “With millions of species to protect, we don’t have time to protect one species at a time. Luckily, there are more efficient ways of preserving biodiversity, including using an umbrella species approach,” — Amy McEuen

The Independent

• “The good news is that we haven't lost them yet,” — Amy McEuen

The Independent

• “I think using our smarts to help these systems also gives me hope when I think about trying to preserve the amount of diversity that we want to preserve,” — Amy McEuen

The Independent